Around baseball: Pittsburgh's Burnett wins his third straight

Pirates 3, Nationals 1: A.J. Burnett allowed one run and struck out nine in seven shutout innings, and Jordy Mercer hit a tiebreaking home run to lead host Pittsburgh over Washington last night.

Pirates 3, Nationals 1: A.J. Burnett allowed one run and struck out nine in seven shutout innings, and Jordy Mercer hit a tiebreaking home run to lead host Pittsburgh over Washington last night.

Burnett (3-2) gave up five hits and one walk in winning his third straight after going 0-2 in his first three starts. He also raised his National League-leading strikeout total to 57.

Mercer’s two-run home run off Ross Detwiler (1-3) in the fifth inning put the Pirates ahead for good 3-1. Mercer was recalled from triple-A Indianapolis before the game when second baseman Neil Walker was placed on the disabled list because a right hand injury.

Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including a home run, for Pittsburgh. Starling Marte and Gaby Sanchez added two hits apiece.

LAST NIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS

Mets 7, Braves 5, 10 innings: David Wright hit the tying home run in the ninth inning off closer Craig Kimbrel and visiting New York scored twice in the 10th to rally for a victory.